Method of and apparatus for fitting telescopic tubes and the like



Sept. 17, 1946. J. R. M LAUGHLlN ,7

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR FITTING TELESCOPIC- TUBES AND THE LIKE I .9254 44 es 4s 7 INVENTOR- PIG'Z.

Original Filed Oct. 23, 1942 5 Sheets-Sheet l.

J N R. MCLAGHLIN. BY

ATIQBNEL Sept. 17, 1946. R. McLA UGH LlN 2,407,760

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR FITTING TELESCOPI-C TUBES AND THE LIKEOriginal Filed Oct. 23, 1942 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 IA'IVENTOR.

ao mamcuu LIN. I -du c h Sept. 17, 1946. J. R. McLAUGHLlN 2,407,760

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR FITTING TELESCOPIC TUBES AND THE LIKEOriginal Filed Oct. 25, 1942 5 Sheets-Sheet s INVENTOR. JOHN R.MCLAUGHLIN.

nrmmsm P 1946-- J. R. MVOLAUGHLIN 2,407,750

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR-FI E'ITING TELESCGPIC TUBES AND THE LIKEOriginal Filed Oct. 23, 1942 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 l I E I u s as r 9 Emvsuron. Q- r n R: uouueuuu.

ar'romvs Sept. 17, 1946. J. R. McLAUGHLlN METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FORFITTING TELESCOPIC TUBES AND THE LIKE Original Filed Oct. 25, 1942 5Sheets-Sheet 5 FTGYIS.

i INVENTOR.

, J HN RJICLA HLm. BY .25

ATT NEY.

Patented Sept. 17, 1946 METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR FITTING TELESCOPICTUBES AND THE LIKE John R. McLaughlin, Palmer, ,Mass assignor, by mesneassignments, to Tampax, Inc., New York, N. Y., a corporation of DelawareOriginal application October 23, 1942, Serial No. 463,091. Divided andthis application January 25, 1945, Serial No. 576,205

16 Claims. 1

This invention relates to tube assembly devices and more particularly toa tube telescoping machine, although certain features thereof may beemployed with equal advantage for other purposes.

It contemplates more especially th provision of a machine forcontinuously assembling and fitting tubes that are generally adapted fortelescopic association for any desired purpose such as applicators forcatamenial devices described and claimed in United States Letters PatentNo. 2,024,218. This application is a division of my copendingapplication Serial No. 463,091 filed October 23, 1942, which has maturedinto Patent No. 2,391,915, January 1, 1946.

One object of the present invention is to simplify the construction andimprove the operation of devices of the character mentioned.

Another object is to provide improved means for continuously assemblingand fitting tubes sized for telescopic association to comprise a unit.

Still another object is to provide continuous power means forautomatically fitting tubes sized for telescopic association.

A further object is to provide improved means for combining andfrictionally fitting telescopic tubes of paper or other deformablesubstances without impairment thereto.

A still further object isto provide improved means for feeding tubes ofdifferent size and effecting their telescopic frictional association ina continuity of operations.

Still a further object is to provide improved tube-end deforming meansfor tubes sized for telescopic frictional association to effect theirassembly as a unit.

Other objects and advantages will appear from the following descriptionof an illustrative embodiment of the present invention.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a device embodying features of the presentinvention.

Figure 2 is a front view in elevationof the device shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary plan view of a tube guid and telescopingmeans.

Figure 4 is a front view in elevation of the tube guide and telescopingmeans shown in Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the lever trip shown in Figures 3 and4.

Figurefi is a sectional view of the tube guide taken substantially alongline VI-VI of Figure 3.

Figure 7 is a side sectional view in elevation taken substantially alongline VIIVII of Figure Figure 8 is a fragmentary sectional view of thetube telescoping guide taken substantially along line VIII-VIII ofFigure 3 showing the tubes about to be telescoped in each other.

Figure 9 is a sectional view taken substantially along line IX--IX ofFigure 3.

Figure 10 is a sectional view taken substantially along line X-X ofFigure 1.

Figure 11 is a fragmentary perspective View of a guide groove and tripmechanism shown in Figure 7.

Figure 12 is a fragmentary sectional view of a worm drive takensubstantially along line XII- XII of Figure 3.

Figure 13 is a plan view in elevation of the interior tube.

Figure 14 is a plan view in elevation of the exterior tube.

Figure 15 is a plan view of the inner and outer tubes telescopedtogether in assembled relation by means of the instrumentalities whichare shown in Figures 1 to 11 inclusive.

Figure 16 is a fragmentary elevation showing details of the devices fornickin the ends of the large tube of the applicator.

Figure 17 is a horizontal section of the nicking devices taken alongline XVIII--XVIII of Figure 16.

Figure 18 is a vertical edge view of the structure shown in Figure 17looking at the left side thereof.

Figure 19 is a diagram showing the manner of picking two tubessimultaneously.

Figure 20 is a front elevation of the diagram shown in Figure 19.

Th structure selected for illustration is intended for assemblingtelescoped tubes IO-ll (Figures 13, 14, and 16) which are preferablythough not essentially sized for frictional telescopic association tocomprise a unit such as a paper applicator utilized to confine acatamenial device of the type fully disclosed and described. in UnitedStates Letters Patent No. 2,024,218. In this particular instance, thetubes l0ll are constructed of disposable paper material so that theassembly thereof must be effected without impairment thereto.

In the present disclosure, the bed I2 of a suitable support serves toprovide the bottoms of spaced rectangular bins I3 and I4 comprising aconfining medium for tubes In and I I, respectively, which are dumpedtherein Without predetermined arrangement to effect gravity feeding ofsaid bins to provide access openings H and I8 towards the center of thebed I2, through which openings I?I8 the operator may conveniently removequantities of large and small tubes I'll and II from the respective binsI3 and I4 for feeding them towards the telescoping mechamsm.

Attached to and extending between'the adjacent or facing walls of therespective bins I3 and I4 is an inclined plate which has a rectangularbody portion I9 and a reduced narrow extension 26 that projectslaterally from the central portion of an edge thereof. Curvedup-standing rims M and 22 are continuous along the edge of the bodyportion I9 of the plate and the merging edge of the extension 2%}. Adividing strip 22' is secured centrally to the plate I9 and divides theextension 20 into two side portions, and side strips 23am mounted on theedges of the extension '20. Aplurality of angle-metal strips 23a, 23b,23c, and 23d of preferably L-shape in cross-section are secured to theside strips 23and "to the dividing strip 22', and said angle-strips aredisposed with their horizontal flanges uppermost and extending towardseach other in the manner shown in enlarged detail in Figure 10. Thestructures abovedescri-bed provide inclined guides or chutes(identifiedgenerally as A and B), into which the operator deposits thetubes I i] and I I in elongated rows with the sides of the tubes incontact with each other. Since thetubes I3 have larger diam-- eters thanthe tubes Ii, the left-hand chute A illustrated in the drawings is ofgreater depth between its bottom and the horizontal flanges of theangle-metal strips 23a and 1232) as shown in detail in Figure 10. Attheir lower discharge ends the chutes A and B have the adjacent ends ofthe angle-metal strips 23a, 23b, 23c, and 23d, curved downwardly topermit of the ready delivery of the tubes It and =I I therefrom.

The discharge ends of the chutes A and B are adapted to deposit a tubeIll and atube "Ii into a V-shap-ed groove or channel 28 that is formedin the upper surface of an elongated fiat bar of glass, moldedcomposition, or other suitable material 29 that extends the length of atable or the like that is in a horizontal plane below the lower endsofthe chutes A and B, said bar 29 being supported upon the lateral flangeof an anglemetal strip-3E1 that is secured to the table by bolts 3|. I

The table 'just mentioned comprises a flat top member or shelf 32 thatis suitably anchored at itsend portions upon the horizontal members 33ofsubstantially rectangular frames which have spaced from; and rearuprights 34, and 35, and

horizontal cross members 36 that connect the lowerends of the uprights3435 and are secured in any manner to the bed I2 of the structure uponwhich the bins I3 and I4 are mounted. Figure 7 illustrates the detailsof this table structure with the channeled bar 29 mounted upon itsleft-hand upper portion at the front edge of the shelf 32 that forms thetop of the table.

The front and rear uprights 34'3'5 of the frames are provided withbearing bosses 3! and 33 respectively that are bored in alinement witheach other' to journal the horizontal shafts 39 and 40 that havesprocket-wheels 4| and 42 attached to their outwardly extended ends andalso have retaining collars 43 secured to their rearwardly extended endswhereby said shafts are maintained against longitudinal movement whilerotating in the bearing bosses 31 and 38. An endless chain 44 engagesthe sprockets and it is driven thereby. The intermediate portion of thelower reach of said chain is engaged with an idle takeup sprocket 45 toreduce any slack that may occur in said chain 4 I provided with aplurality of horizontally disposed The spindle 46 of the take-upsprocket is I readily adjustable up and down in a slot 41 that is formedin the lower portion of a hanger 48 which is secured to and depends froman adjacent portion of the table. a

As shown, the upper reach of the chain 44 is in a horizontal plane anddisposed in parallel relation to the channeled bar 29, and said chain isf ngers 49, 49, that project laterally therefrom so that they extendacross the channeled bar 29 close to the top surface thereof. The chain44 is actuatcdby means of a worm-gear as that is fast upon the shaft 39of sprocket 4| and is driven by a worm 5| on a horizontal shaft 52disposed with its axis transverse to the axis of sprocket shaft 39. Theworm-shaft 52 is journaled in lugs 53, 53, projecting from the upright35 with the worm5l disposed between them, and one end of said worm shaft'52 projects beyond the adjacent lug arid has suitable connection withany convenient source of power.

A large tube It and a small tube I I are deposited by gravity from thedischarge ends of their respective chutes A and B, into the channel 128near the right-hand end of the strip and adjacent the starting end ofthe upper reach of the chain 44. Resting in the guide channel 23, thetubes I0 and II are nearly end to end and the major portions of theircircumferences are above the horizontal plane of the top surface of thestrip-29, In this position the approaching finger 49 on the chain 44will engage theend of tube I I causing it to move in theguide channeluntil the other or forward end of tube II contacts the near end of thelarger tube III and the longitudinal movement of the tubes'I-O and 'I Iin this tandem, disposition continues in the guide chann'el 28 until theleading end of the large tube'IO will drop into an enlarged channelportion 28a that :is formed by widening and deepening the channel 28between a shoulder 28b and the left hand "or removal end of the guide"bar 29.

The dimensions of the channel portion 28a are such that when the largertube It is disposed therein, and the smaller tube I I is in channelportion'28, the axes of the tubes will then be alined. In other words,the height of shoulder 28b or the increased dimensions of the channel28a are equal to the thickness of the cylindrical wall of the tube-M.Since the inside diameter of tube It is but a small fraction less thanthe outside diameter of tube II, said tubes are adapted to betelescoped, the one on the other, with the latter entering into theformer to the extent shown in Figure 16. This telescoping or insertingof the tube I I into the tube In is accomplished by the continued travelof the finger 49 with the chain 44 whilst said finger is in engagementwith the rear end of the tube II and the tube l n has been arrested bythe stop element 54. In order to insure against the tubes I0 and IIbecoming dislodged from the guide channel 28 and its widened portion 28aduring the telescoping operation, said tubes Ifl-II are respectivelyengaged by yieldable presser members I [la and: He that may be flat leafsprings as shown in detail in Figure 11. The presser members Illa andIla, which are obliquely disposed in the line of travel of the tubeslIl-I I, have their free end portions angularly bent as at [8b and Ill),and their opposite ends are mounted in transverse slits 55, 55, in thereduced end portions 58, 56, of horizontal studs 51, 51. The studs 51,51 are anchored to the vertical wall 6! of an angular strip 88 by bolts62, B2. The studs 51, 51 have arms 58, 58 that carry pins 59, 59 in thepath of the presser members Illa-I Ia.

The stop element 54, herein above mentioned, projects laterally awayfrom the movable end portion of a horizontaly disposed swinging arm 63(shown in detail in Figures 5 and 11), that is fulcrumed at its oppositeend upon pivot bolt 64 that is screwed into the vertical flange SI ofthe angle-metal strip 60 between the studs 51, 51, which carry thepresser members la and Ila. The swinging arm 63 is adapted for up anddown movement at its end having the stop 54, and such movement islimited by a stop-pin 65 with an enlarged end 65' which serves to keepthe tubes from kicking up when under pressure. The stop pin 65 projectsfrom the angle flange 6I into slot 66 in a lateral boss 51 on theadjacent end portion of the arm 63. In Figure 11 the swinging arm 63 isshown in its raised position with the stop pin 85 in the lower end ofthe slot 66, which permits the elevation of the lateral stop member 54sufficiently above the telescoped tubes to clear said stop 54 and bemoved by the finger 49 to the end of the channeled strip 29. The loweredge of the arm 63 is perferably inclined downwardly away from thefulcrumed end of said arm and there is a shoulder 88 on this lower edgethat is in the path of and is adapted to be engaged by; the endportionof a finger 48 at approximately the moment the smaller tube I Ihas been inserted the desired distance into the larger tube I9, whichdistance, as approximated in Figure 16, is substantially one-third thelength of either or both tubes, I 8 and I I. I

In order to facilitate the entry of the smaller tube ,I Iinto the largertube I8 the ends of the walls of the smaller tube are rounded or beadedas shown at 69 in Figures 13 and 16 which slightly reduces the outsidediameter of the end edges of the cylindrical wall forming the tube; Solong as the operator keeps a supply of the tubes I8-II in the respectivechutes AB there is a continuity of operation, and as each finger 49moves a pair of the tubes in the channel 28 away from the discharge endsof the chutes A-B, the next succeeding tubes in said chutes willgravitate into the channel in position to be moved by the next finger.

Prior to their discharge from chute A, the large tubes I8 are providedwith indentations H! at each end to afford frictional engagement withthe surface of the inserted tube II. Thisis accom plished by suitableinstrumentalities at the lower end of the chute A as shown in Figures 17to 21, wherein it will be seen that the side walls of said chute areprovided with vertical slots 18 and H, the latter to receive astationary blade 12 which is carried upon a suitably shaped bracket 13attached to the walls of the chute A. The work edge of the blade 12protrudes into the chute at a distance to engage the ends of the tubesI8 stacked therein and said blade is adjustably mounted by means of ascrew 14 Which, passes through a slot 15 in said blade and screws intothe bracket 13 The opposing blade 16 which enters slit 18 embodies alateral portion of a swinging arm 11 which is carried upon a pintle 18journalled in bearing bosses 19-19 projecting from the Walls of thechute A. At its lower end the arm 11 is engageable with a stop 88 belowthe slit 1!], and the upper portion of said am is suitably anchored toan operating finger 8| which has an oblique portion Bla to oiT-set itslower end portion 8 I b in the manner shown in Figure 19, where it willbe seen that the said finger extends alongside the elongated guide bar29in which the tubes are disposed for telescopic engagement.

A coiled spring 82 surrounds an extended end of pintle 18 with one ofits ends engaging the adjacent boss 19 while its other end is engagedwith a castellated nut 83 screwed upon the threaded. end 84 of thepintle 18. The lower finger portion 8Ib is in the path of the studs 49which move the tubes in the guide channel 28, and when engaged by one ofsaid studs said finger will swing away from the chute A (to the leftFigure 17) until the stud 49 passes under and releases the finger,

which permits the spring 82 to return the blade arm 11 to its normalposition. This return move-. ment causes the blade 18 to nick theproximate end edges of two superposed tubes in thestack as at 84 and theimpact created by this action of the blade 18 is sufiicient to cause thestationary blade 13 to nick the corresponding edges as at 85 of the sametubes as shown in Figures 20 and 21L The deformed ends of tube In whichare nicked as at 84-85 (Figure 21) provide radial protrusions at bothends. The protrusion at one end friction.- ally engages the exterior ofthe smaller tube, H to maintain both tubes in any predeterminedtelescopic association against accidental relative displacement. Theprotrusion at the other end offers resistance to the free ejection ofthe com-r pressed tampon, (not shown) which is inserted lower fingerportion 8Ib is actuated bythe succeeding stud 49, and it will beunderstood that adjustment of the spring tension may readily beaccomplished by rotating the nut, 83 on the pintle 18 and locking saidnut by a cotter-pin 83a.

While the invention is described in detail in its present preferred formor embodiment, it is obvious to those skilled in the art, afterunderstanding said invention, that various changes and modifications maybe made therein without departing from the'spirit or scope thereof. Itis the aim of the appended claims to cover all such changes andmodifications.

What is claimed as new is:

1. An apparatus for deforming telescopically fitting tubes embodyingmeans for/supportingtubes in aligned endwise pairs, means for deformingends of one of said tubes, means for bodily moving one of the tubeslongitudinally and independently of the other tube to telescope saidtubes, and means whereby the telescoped tubes are released from andmoved away from the telescoping means.

2. An apparatus for deforming telescoping tubes embodying an elongateguide upon which tubes are supported in pairs in endwise arrangement,means for advancing the pair of tubes along said guide, means fornicking the ends of one of said tubes to provide protrusions, and meansfor laterally displacing one tube with respect to the other tubeand'arresting said dis.-, placed tube, said advancing means adapted to 7moveithe other tube bodily independent of the arrested tube whereby to.telescope said tubes so that said protrusions offer frictionalresistance :to accidental relative displacement.

3. An apparatus for telescoping tubes embodying an elongate guide uponwhich tubes are supported in pairs i endwise arrangement, means foradvancing the pair of tubes along said guide, spring impelled means inthe path of guide for deforming a tube end to provide a protrusion,means for laterally displacing one tube with respect to the other tubeand arresting :said displaced tube whereby the advancing means isadapted to move the other tube bodily independent of the arrested tubewhereby said tubes are telescoped, so that said protrusion offersfrictional resistance thereto, and means whereby the telescoped tubesare released from and moved away from the telescoping means.

4. An apparatus for telescopin tubes embodying an elongate guide uponwhich tubes are supported in pairs in endwise arrangement; "means foradvancin the tubes along said guide, said g-uide being shapedintermediate its ends to laterally displace the leading tube to axiallyaline it with the trailing tube, spring impelled means in the path ofsaid tube advancing means for deforming a tube end to provide aprotrusion, means for bodily moving the trailing tube longitudinally andindependently of the leading tube to telescope said tubes; so that saidprotrusion offers frictional resistance thereto, and means whereby thet'elescoped tubes are released from 5. An apparatus for telescopingtubes embodying a longitudinal guide upon which a pair of tubes aresupported in endwise arrangement, a

stop in itiallyspaced from said tubes; means for moving the tubestowards said stop, impact means in the path of said tubes to deform anend thereof for interfitting telescopic engagement with the other ofsaid tubes, means in said guide for laterally displacing the leadingtube prior to engagement with said stop whereby to axially aline theproximate ends of said tubesand means for moving said stop out ofthepath of movement of the tubesto release the telescoped tubes.

6, An apparatus for telescoping tubes embodying longitudinal guide uponWhich a pair of tubes are supported in endwise arrangement, a stopinitially spaced from said tubes, means for advancing the tubes towardssaid step, spring impelled impact means in the path of said tubes todeform an end thereof for interfitting telescopic engagement with theother .of said tubes,

means in said guide for laterally displacing the leading tube prior toengagement with said stop whereby to axially aline the proximate ends ofsaid tubes, the continued movement of said advancing means adapted toenter the other tube into-the arrested leading tube, and means on saidadvancing means adapted to lift said stop out of the path of thetelescoped tubes.

- '7. --An apparatus for telescoping tubes embodythe .7 continuedmovement of said advancing larged channel portion; and means fordisplactween, devices for separately discharging tubes means adapted toenter the other. tube. into the arrested leading tube, a swinging armupon which said stop is mounted, and means onsaid advancing meansadapted to engage and swin said arm in a direction to move said stoprout of the path of the telescoped tubes. i

3. An apparatus for telescoping tubes embodying an elongate bar having achannel in which tubes are supported, said channelprovided with anenlarged portion to receivethe leading tube and axially aline it-withthe adjacent tube, means for advancing the tubes longitudinally in saidchannel, confronting tube end deforming means.

in the path of said tubes, means for urging one of said confronting tubeend deforming means relative to the other, means on said advancing meansfor first displacing and then releasingsaid first named tube enddeforming means to deform the ends of tubes therebetween, devices fordischarging tubes into said channel, anda stop asso ciated with theenlarged portion of said channel adapted to momentarily arrest the tubedisposed in said enlarged channel portion whereby .continued movement ofsaid advancing means is adapted-toenter the other tube into the arrestedtube. a

9, An apparatus for telescoping tubes embodying an elongate bar having achannel in which tubes are supported in endwise-arrangement, saidchannel provided with an enlarged portion to' receive the leading tubeand axially aline it with the adjacent tube; means for advancing thetubes longitudinally in said channel, devices for discharging tubes intosaid channel, confronting tube end deforming means in the path of saidtubes, means for urging one of said confronting tube end deforming meansrelative to the other, means on said advancing means for firstdisplacing and then releasing said first named tube end deforming meansto deform the ends of tubes therebetween, a movable stop associated withthe enlarged portion of said channel adapted to mo-* mentarily arrestthe tube disposed in said eningsaid' stop after the tubes have beenitelescoped apredetermined distance.

1-0. An apparatus for telescoping tubes embodying an elongate bar havinga, channel in which tubes are supported inendwise arrangement, saidchannel provided with an enlarged portion to receive the leading tubeand axially aline it with the adjacent tube, means for advancing .a pairof tubes longitudinally in endwise arrangement in said channel,confronting tube end deforming means in the path of said tubes,

means fo urging one of said confronting tube end deforming meansrelative to the other, means on said advancing means for firstdisplacing and then releasing said ifirst named tube end deform ingmeans to deform the ends of tubes there'be into said channel, adisplaceable stop associated with the enlarged portion of said channeladapted to momentarily arrest the tube disposed in said enlarged channelportion, and means engaged by portions of the tube advancing meansadapted to displace said step after telescopic movement of the tubes hasprogressed a predetermined distance.

11. A method of. interfitting telescoping tubes which consists inadvancin a pair of tubes tandem-wise in a guide/in non-axial alinement,deforming the end of one of each pair of tubes, displacing the leadingtube into axial alinement with the trailing tube, bodily moving thetrailing tube independent of the leading tube whereby to enter theformer tube into the proximate end of the latter tube, and continuingthe advance of the telescoped tubes to discharge them from the uide.

12. A method of interfitting telescoping tubes which consists inseparately discharging a pair of tubes upon a guide in longitudinalrelation, advancing the tubes in the guide, nicking an end of one ofeach pair of tubes, displacing the leading tube into axial alinementwith the trailing tube, momentarily arresting advance of the leadingtube after displacement, and continuing the advance of the trailing tubeduring arrest of the leading tube to telescope one tube into the othertube a, predetermined distance.

13. In an apparatus for handling tubes, a chute wherein a plurality oftubes are superposed, op posed members engageable with the ends of tubesin said chute, and travelling means movable beneath said chute adaptedto move tubes away from said chute, said traveling means adapted also toactuate one of said opposing members relative to the other member todeform the ends of the tubes disposed between said members.

14. In an apparatus for handling tubes, a chute in which a plurality oftubes are superposed, a fixed blade in said chute engageable with theends of tubes therein, a movable blade confronting said fixed blade andadapted to engage the other ends of the tubes engaged by said fixedblade, and spring means for moving said movable blade in a direction toeffect its impact on adjacent ends of said tubes and thereby deform theends thereof.

15. In apparatus of the kind described, a chute; a fixed bladeprojecting inward from a, side wall thereof, a spring impelledreturnable movable blade adapted for entry through the other side Wallof said chute in opposition to said fixed blade, an arm extending fromsaid movable blade, and means for intermittently actuating said arm tomove said movable blade away from said chute and then release said armto permit return movement of said movable blade in a direction to impactan object disposed between said blades.

16. A tube deforming device "comprising confronting tube confiningelements, one of said last named elements being movable and the other ofsaid elements fixed, spring means for normally urging said movableelement toward said fixed element to receive a tube therebetween, andmeans for tripping said movable element away from said fixed element topermit said spring means to impact said movable element against the tubefor effecting the deformation thereof.

JOHN R. MCLAUGHLIN.

